Choplifter is a 1982 Apple II game developed by Dan Gorlin and published by Brøderbund. It was ported to other home computers and, in 1985, Sega released a coin-operated arcade game remake, which in turn received several home ports of its own. While many arcade games have been ported to home computers and consumer consoles, Choplifter was one of the few games to take the reverse route: first appearing on a home system and being ported to the arcade.
In Choplifter, the player assumes the role of a combat helicopter pilot. The player attempts to save hostages being held in prisoner of war camps in territory ruled by the evil Bungeling Empire. The player must collect the hostages and transport them safely to the nearby friendly base, all the while fighting off hostile tanks and other enemy combatants. According to the backstory, the helicopter parts were smuggled into the country described as "mail sorting equipment."
This game was fairly successful and popular, spawning two sequels.
Click on the screenshot to play an emulated version of the game.
Reviewer:
PURL_VESA_PAATERO
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
December 23, 2018
Subject:
Couldn't turn the choplifter around, otherwise good
Having a Finnish keyboard layout, I have "Alt Gr" in the place of the right Alt key, which might be why I can't turn the choplifter around.
I wonder if it is possible to find a key mapping that works for everyone...
Overall, it is great that such a web-based emulation has been provided. I hope the solution is copyright-wise OK.
Reviewer:
unwiredben
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June 10, 2016
Subject:
Use the other ALT key
on my PC, only the right ALT worked to turn around the chopper. Once I got that going, it was a pleasant experience.
Reviewer:
bawanderr
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April 1, 2015
Subject:
chopper won't rotate
At first, the chopper would rotate, but only by using the #8 button, not the zero button on the number keypad as the prior reviewer kindly told me. After about 20-30 minutes of play, I can't get it to rotate at all and must fly backwards, a situation that puts me at somewhat of a disadvantage! Plus, the zero button has always been a fire button in addition to the "alt" button. But I can live with that if I can get the chopper to rotate!
Also, I can't shoot the tanks. Do you have to be "facing" them (as in your chopper being pointed at 'you', the player?)
I've always liked this game and spent many a 1/4 on it but it's not much fun without the capabilities mentioned. Can you, Jason, or someone else please give me a hand? Thank you!
Reviewer:
Tyler
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December 5, 2013
Subject:
Great fun!
The classic! Good game-play. Lots of fun. Watch out for the fighter jets!
Press the space bar to start. Use the Number Keypad to raise and move the helicopter, the ALT key to fire, and the 0 key (on the number pad) to turn the helicopter around.